Paula Olson

Published 1:08 pm Thursday, February 29, 2024

Paula Olson

July 20, 1936 – January 31, 2024

Paula Ann Jacobs Olson was born to Bertha (Wagner) and Paul Jacobs in Winamac, Indiana on July 20, 1936. Some of her fondest memories were growing up on an eighty-acre farm with her parents, and older sister, Alice Rotter. During the summers, Aunt Catherine and Uncle Joe Jacobs, and their children, Doris and Joe, would come for a long visit. Paula loved riding around in the rumble seat of the Olds, walking along the Tippecanoe River, swimming at Bass Lake, eating ice cream, and watching movies at the Isis theater. She attended a two-room country schoolhouse in Beardstown, and attended Sunday school and church at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Denham. Paula maintained life-long relationships with her grade school friends – Evonne (Leslin) Robertson, Ruth (Sehstedt) Holbrook, and Thema (Podell) Pace.

When she was in the fifth-grade, the family relocated to Chicago and her mother passed away a few years later. Paula and her father enjoyed spending time with her sister and niece, Laura (Zerner) Marcanti, and nephews Craig and Mark Zerner. She graduated from Lake View High School and continued her education at Northern Illinois University where she joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and earned with a degree in teaching. Paula remained lifetime friends with her college roommate, Cindy Kimmel and her husband Frank, and others. After graduation in 1958, Paula married George Olson, worked as a teacher, and moved to La Mesa, California where Jennifer and Todd were born. Laurel was born in San Rafael, California.

In 1974, the family moved to Bend, Oregon. As a single mother, Paula earned a master’s degree in education from Western Oregon University and supported her children as an elementary school teacher for over twenty years. She enjoyed attending church, painting watercolors, and picnicking at the lakes with her children and friends in her spare time. Laurel and Bob Nimmo gave her a grandson, Ryder, who was the joy of her life.

Paula passed away on January 31, 2024 and is survived by children: Jennifer Olson (Ron Nixon), Todd Olson (Stephanie Pfau-Gagnon), Laurel Nimmo (Bob Nimmo), and grandson Ryder Nimmo, and family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Grace First Lutheran Church in Bend, Oregon on April 21 at 1:00 p.m. which can be viewed via live stream at www.facebook.com/GFLCBend – In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.